Teen Found Guilty in Pizza Driver Murder

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County teen has been found guilty of murder in the March 1 shooting death of a pizza delivery driver.

Reginald Lofton, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, was convicted Friday on two counts of felony murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault.

The jury deliberated for a little over two hours.

His sentencing was deferred for 60 days. The only two options, because of the murder convictions, are life without parole or life, with the possibility of parole.

According to prosecuors, Lofton and Jermaine Young, 21 — both of Lawrenceville — robbed and then shot Shane Varnadore, 28, who drove for Papa John's, during a delivery to an apartment complex off of Herrington Road.

After a brief investigation, a lead in the case led Gwinnett County Police to execute a search warrant at that same apartment complex, during which Lofton and Young, were arrested.

Despite his young age, Lofton was identified by police because he was charged as an adult.

At trial, Lofton's defense attorney argued that it was Young, who has not yet faced trial, who was the shooter.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the identity of the shooter is unclear, but maintained that, at the least, Lofton provided the gun used to shoot Varnadore and the phone used to call and make the delivery order.

Young's trial has not yet been scheduled.

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